Raising or forcing liquid.



H. A. HUMPHREY. RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED IUNEZT, I9II.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS/#SHEET 1.

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H. A. HUMPHREY;

RAISING 0R FORCING LlQUlD.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27. 191:.

Patented J an. 25,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I INVENTUH I] TTOMIEV.

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H. A. HUMPHREY.

RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 27, I911.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WI THE-$358 INVEH TOR A TTORNEV.

. H. A. HUMPHREY.

RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27. 1911.

1,169,5QU; Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HUMPHREY GAS PUMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

RAISING OR FORCING LIQUID. I

Specification of Letters Patent:

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed June 27, 1911. Serial No. 635,572.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in London, England, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Raising or Forcing Liquid, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for utilizing an expansive force, and belongs to the same art as the inventions described in several of my copendin applications, for example, application No. 438,425, filed June 13, 1908, in which application I describe the method and means whereby a column'of liquid is propelled outwardly from a combustion chamber by the energy of expansion of an ignited combustible charge, and a column of liquid flows inwardly due to head or pressure, toward the combustion chamber to compress a fresh combustible charge; the intake of fresh liquid being caused by the diminution of pressure in the rear of the column due to the .momentum of the outwardly propelled liquid.

The present invention relates especially to the improved apparatus or means whereby the intake of fresh liquid is secured during the inward movement of the column toward the combusion chamber, or partly during both outward and inward movements. This intake of liquid is due to the movement of liquid flowing from a higher to a lower level or to the energy stored in one or more elastic cushions.

My object is to provide means whereby the liquid may be entrained in such manner either from a high level source of supply or a low level source of supply as may be suitable for existing conditions of operation.

Referring to the drawings, which are largely diagrammatic, and which illustrate by way of example, preferred forms of my invention, Figure 1 is av vertical section of such apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the air chamber and discharge end of the device somewhat modified. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the air chamber and discharge end with further modifications. Fig. 4 is a similar view with still further modifications. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing high level liquid supply and low level liquid supply and means for meeting the varying conditions resulting from different levels of said supply. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a device showing the source of supply intermediate the combustion chamber and the high level tank or discharge, and

also with the combustion chamber below the level of the liquid supply.

S1m1lar numerals refere to similar parts throughout the several views.

I generally prefer to store part of the energy of combustion and expansion at each cycle, by compressing an elastic cushion, or by expanding an elastic cushion below atmospherlc pressure or by raising liquid. Such stored energy is utilized to cause the aforesaid movement and the intake of fresh liquid. The energy of liquid already at suitable elevation may be used to cause the intake of fresh liquid from another supply.

As an example, I will assume the apparatus employed is of thetype described in application by Humphrey and Rusdell No. 438,426 filed J une 13, 1908, in which there is a single combustion chamber and a play or delivery pipe. There are two outward and two inward movements of the liquid column per cycle. At the end of the play pipe away from the combustion chamber, the column communicates with an elastic cushion, such as the air in an air vessel, and with a pressure delivery pipe, and with an inlet pipe for the admission of fresh liquid. These two pipes are fitted with non-return valves opening outwardly and inwardly respectively. When expansion occurs in the combustion chamber the outwardly propelled column of liquid first compresses the elastic cushion, until the pressure of delivery is attained, and then forces liquid ,past the nonreturn valve into the delivery pipe. When the column comes to rest, the last mentioned valve closes, and an inward movement of the column is caused by the expenditure of energy stored in the elastic cushion, and velocity is given to the column, the kinetic energy of which is partly utilized in causing the usual exhaust of burnt products and compression of an elastic cushion in the combustion chamber, and partly in causing an intake of fresh liquid. The second outward movement of the column is caused by the expansion of the last mentioned cushion and results in the intake of fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber, and the compression of the first mentioned cushion. After which the expansion of the said first mentioned cushion gives rise to the second inward movement of the liquid column which compresses the fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber.

. In order to utilize liquid which has been elevated, orwh-ich already exists at a suitable elevation to cause an intake of fresh liquid from another supply, during the inward movement of a column of liquid, I place the combustion chamber at a lower level than the supply of fresh liquid. The valve for the liquid intake is located at a distance from the combustion chamber, so that a mass of liquid may reciprocate between the chamber and the liquid intake. For instance, the liquid column may rise from the com ustion chamber to the point at which the liquid intake occurs, and then the column may be continued onward to a place of higher level or pressure. \Vhen combustion and expansion occur in the combustion chamber the whole of the liquid column is propelled outwardly until the pressure at that part of the column where the intake occurs is low enough to cause such intake. The length of that part of the whole column, which is between the combustion chamber and the liquid intake, may be so proportioned to the part which is beyond the intake, that the kinetic energy of the first part, shall be expended before that of the second part, and the first part of the column shall, by virtue of the difference of levels between the liquid intake and the chamber, begin to return toward the chamber, before the second part of the column has come to rest. It is not even necessary that the second part of the column should reverse its direction of flow. The fall of the first part of the column away from the second part causes or permits the intake of fresh liquid between the two parts of the column,

and the energy of the falling liquid may be used partly to draw fresh liquid into the column through the liquid intake and partly to exhaust burnt products and to compress an elastic cushion in the combustion chamber. The cycle is continued by the expansion of the cushion in the combustion chamber, causing a second outward movement. The return of the first part, or of the whole of the column under its head or pressure, toward the combustion chamber, gives the second inward movement which compresses the fresh combustible charge. When it is not convenient to place the combustion chamber below the level of the liquid intake, then a difference in pressure may be utilized to draw in the fresh liquid instead of a difference of level. as in the last case described.

Such pressure difference is most readily obtained by allowing to burnt gases in the combustion chamber to expand below atmospheric pressure, until the partial vacuum is sufiicient to bring about the desired intake of fresh'liquid duringthe-inward...

1, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 6 only,

since the present invention is concerned-- with the apparatus at the other end of the play pipe, where the pipe turns upwardinto an air vessel 3, fitted at its lower part with nonreturn valves -i for the admission of liquid,

and, above these, with non-return valves 5 for the-discharge of liquid. Above the valve 5 is a space adapted to contain air. Surrounding the discharge valves and the upper part of chamber 3, is a delivery chamber 6, also adapted to serve the purpose of an air vessel. Surrounding the lower portion of 3 and the valves 4is a chamber or receptacle 7, containing a supply of liquid. In Fig. 1 this receptacle 7 is shown as an open tank. An inlet 8 for low pressure liquid, and anoutlet 9 for liquid under pressure are shown.

The operation of the device is as follows: When combustion and expansion occur in chamber 1, the column of liquid in playpipe 2 moves outwardly from said combustion chamber. and, as the liquid inlet valves 4 and liquid discharge valves 5 are all shut, air is compressed in 3 by the liquid rising therein. When the pressure in 3 attains or exceeds the pressure in chamber 6. valves 5 are forced open, and liquid is discharged into 6 and through pipe 9. The compressed air in 6 serves to give a more or less continuous flow in pipe 9. When the kinetic energy of the c lumn of liquid has been expended in forcing liquid into 6, and the liquid comes to rest, the valves 5 close. There is now compressed air in 3, which, on expanding,

causes a return flow of the column of liquid toward chamber 1. Kinetic energy 1s acquired by the column, so that it continues to move, after the pressure of the air in 3 has fallen to that at which valves 4 open and admit fresh liquid from 7 into 3. This fresh liquid, entering through valves 4 follows the moving column in play pipe 2. If the pump is of the two-cycle type, the moving column is brought to rest by compressing a fresh combustible charge in chamber 1, the ignition of which starts a fresh cycle. If the pump is of the four-cycle type, the moving column is brought to rest by compress ingan elastic cushion, the expansion of which causes the second outward movement and the compression of the 'air in 3, and this air, expanding again, gives the second return movement of the liquid toward cham her 1, which compresses the fresh combustible charge therein.

'In the case just considered in connection with Fig. 1, the level of the liquid a a in 7 is above the valves 4, but in the construction illustrated in Fig. 2, the level of the liquid to be raised, is at a; a, below valves 4. In this case the energy stored in the air compressed in 3, by the working stroke of the pump, must be such as to secure energy sufiicient to raise, from the level a a, the fresh liquid to pass through valves 4, as well as.

to give the required compression in chamber 1. This is secured by having relatively more air in 3, so that when compressed to upper or closed end may containair under a partial vacuum and so constitute an air vessel to assist the operating of valves 4 without shock. As the volumetric changes of the gaseous contents at the pump end, during the working stroke, should correspond with the volumetric changes of the air in chamber 3. together with the water discharged, it is desirable that there should be means to control these volumetric changes. at the pump end, the volumetric change can be increased by allowing scavenging air to be drawn into the combustion chamber, or by allowing the burnt products to expand below atmospheric pressure. In my copending application Serial No. 618,242 filed Mar. 31,1911. I have shown how an excess of combustible mixture or scavenging air mav be taken in and rejected again, thus providinga greater volumetric change. Again in mv copending application Serial No. 444,061 filed July 17 1908,I have shown how the quantity of aircompressed by a liquid column can be varied by allowing some of the air in the compressor chamber to be rejected before compression begins. In Fig. 3 this principle is applied as follows: in the top of chamber 3 a dip pipe 10 is provided, fitted with a valve 11, adapted to be shut by impact of the rising liquid. Assuming that thelevel .of the liquid in chamber 3 is I) I). when the working stroke of the pump begins. and that valve 11 is open, air is dischargedpast valve 11 into the atmosphere. until the liquid reaches this valve and closes it- A quantity of air is entrapped above valve 11, and compressed bv the further movement of the liquid. until the pressure attains that at which valves 5 open. This arrangement permits a larger volumetric displacement by the water rising in chamber 3, without increasing the volume of air actually compressed.

It is generally a condition that the ignited gases in the pump or combustion chamber should expand to atmospheric pressure, and this condition fixes the minimum volumetric displacement at the pump end. Also, the mean effective pressure during such expansion must not be exceeded by the mean pressure in chamber 3, during the working stroke. Finally as the compression pressure of the fresh combustible charge is usually a fixed amount, the'energy to-be stored in the elastic air cushion in chamber 3, when the liquid column comes to rest, is a known quantity. It follows from a consideration of these conditions that the higher the pressure, at which liquid is delivered, into chamber 6, the greater is the surplus energy which can be stored in the compressed air and utilized for lifting liquid through valves 4 without exceeding the desired volumetric change of the compressed air in chamber 3.

The arrangement of the parts in Fig. 3, differs from that in the previous figures in that the valves 4 are. in this case, placed in a horizontal part of the pipe 2, close to the chamber 3; an arrangement which is sometimes convenient for structural reasons.

In Fig. 4 there is above chamber 3, an additional chamber 12, and these two chambers communicate through a dip pipe 13 controlled by a valve 14, which operates in a similar manner to valve 11 of Fig. 3. This modification renders possible the following cycle :On the working stroke of the pump, the liquid level in chamber 3 starts from b b, and valve 14 is open. As the liquid rises in chamber 3, air is compressed in chambers 3 and 12, until valve 14 is shut by the liquid. The air in 3 above the level of valve 14 is now further compressed until valves 5 open and liquid is discharged into air vessel 6. When the liquid column has come to rest, the air in the top of chamber 3 first expands, until it has the pressure existing in 12, and then valve 14 opens and the air in both 12 and 3 expands," giving the return movement of the liquid column toward the combustion chamber. The annular space between pipe 13 and the circular chamber12 is adapted to contain liquid, supplied under pressure through cook 15, or discharged by the pressure in the chamber through cook 16. By introducing more or less liquid into chamber 12, the capacity of this chamber for air, and the energv available when this air is compressed, are altered. This device is useful when the level a. (I- of the liquid is variable, since it enables the stored energy to be adjusted to meet the varied level. Moreover, the arrangement is useful when a fourcycle pump is used.

Fig. 5 shows a construction similar to that in Fig. 2, but modified to deal with a wide range of conditions as regards the levels of liquid. Suppose the lowest level of supply liquid is at a a, below the apparatus, and the highest level at A A, above the apparatus and also above the level of the combustion chamber of the pump. Air pipes 18, 19 and 20, fitted with suitable cocks, serve to supply air under pressure to chambers 3, 6 and 7, respectively, or to discharge air from these chambers. It will be understood that delivery pipe 9 is a long pipe, or of such suilicient length that the momentum acquired by the liquid flowing therein, shall be suflicient to produce the desired effects. By suitably altering the quantities of air in the chambers 3, 6 and 7, it is possible to pump liquid through the range of supply levels from a a to A A. As an extreme example, suppose the supply level is A A, and that liquid is delivered at the same level. If there is little or no air in chambers 3 and 6, pipes 2 and 9 may be considered as one delivery pipe, and on the Working stroke of the pump, the liquid in these pipes is accelerated until the pressure of the ignited gases in the pump is equal to the static head of liquid A A above the level of the liquid in the combustion chamber. From this point the liquid in 9 moves independently of the liquid in 2, and fresh liquid flows in by way of pipe 17 and valves 4 and 5 to follow the liquid in 9, but the liquid in 2 is retarded, due to'the head A A, until the movement of the liquid in 2 ceases, and then is reversed in direction to give the compression stroke in chamber 1. As pipe 17 can supply both pipes 9 and 2, the liquid in 9 need not reverse its flow and a very large volume of liquid will be delivered.

f We assume that the supply level A A falls more nearly to the mean level of theliquid in the combustion chamber, it is evident that the head available for producing the compression stroke becomes less. To remedy this more air can be introduced into chamber 6 and to permit a greater movement in pipe 2, and consequently a longer return stroke toward the combustion chamber, thus maintaining the desired degree of compression therein. When level A A falls, until there is no longer suflicient head above the pump to operate in the manner last mentioned, more air can be introduced into chamber 3, so that the energy for the return stroke toward the combustion chamber may be stored by the compression of this air in the way already described. Coming now to the other extreme, where the level of the supply liquid is'at a a, the case becomes that described in connection with Fig. 2, where the air compressed in 3, expands below atmospheric pressure and so permits the necessary vacuum to suck liquid from level a. a through pipe 17 into the apparatus. Thus by changing the quantities of air in the several chambers of Fig. 5, either by hand or automatically, according to the level of the supply liquid, it is possible to utilize the same apparatus throughout the whole range of levels, while maintaining the desired compression pressure in the combustion chamber for the eflicient operation of the pump.

In Fig. 6 the liquid has to be raised from a a to c c, and the combustion chamber 1 of the pump is at a lower level than a a. The play pipe 2 is continued by pipe 9, and at the junction of these two pipes is the liquid inlet "alve 4. On the working stroke of the pump, valve 4: is shut and the liquid in pipes 2 and 9 is accelerated. These pipes may be so proportioned with reference to each other and to the liquid levels, that the liquid in 2 loses its kinetic energy first and comes to rest, while the liquid in pipe 9 is still moving onward. The return flow in pipe 2 now occurs and fresh liquid is drawn in past valve 4, some of which may flow into pipe 2 and some into pipe 9 to follow the moving liquid. If the pump is a four-cycle pump, exhaust and cushion occur in chamber 1, followed by the second outstroke and the intake of fresh combustible charge, and in the compression of this charge. It is possible to utilize the Whole of the difference of head between 0 0 and the combustion chamber, thus securing a high degree of compression. On the other hand, if the mass of liquid, in pipe 9 is great enough to cause the flow to be continuous there will be no return flow in this pipe, and the compression will depend on the difference of level between a a and chamber 1. In either case, by placing chamber 1 low enough, the degree of compression can be made to exceed that which would be produced if only the difference of head between a a and c c was available.

The precise action of apparatus such as are herein described depends chiefly on the relative inertias of the moving masses of liquid, the position and air contents of the air vessels operating in conjunction with the liquid columns, and the pressure changes through the working cycles.

Many other modifications, than those illustrated, are possible, and it should be observed that the intake of liquid, in the manner described herein, does not preclude the intake of liquid by means described in my earlier specifications, since the present invention is applicable to pumps in which a portion of the fresh liquid is taken in at the combustion chamber end of the column.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for raising or forcing liquid. the combination of a play pipe for the reciprm'atimi of a column of liquid, one movement. of said reciprocation being due to an expansible charge. a return movement due to energy stored. and means for utilizmeasao ing the said return movement to effect an intake of fresh liquid.

2. In an apparatus for rasing or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to the expansive force of compressed combustible charge communicated to one end of the column, a return movement due to energy stored, and means for utilizing the said return movement of the column to effect an intake of liquid at approximately the other end thereof.

3. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force communicated to said column of liquid at approximately one end thereof, and means for utilizing the movement of the column of liquid whereby fresh liquid at low pressure is introduced at the other end of said column.

4. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination. of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansion of an expansible charge, a return movement due to energy stored, means for utilizing said return movement to effect the intake of fresh liquid and means for controlling the intake.

In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column at approximately one end thereof, and means for utilizing said reciprocative movements of the liquid whereby liquid is discharged and fresh liquid introduced at the other end of said liquid column.

6. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a pla pipe for the reciprocation of a column 0 liquid, one movement of said liquid being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column at approximately one end thereof, and a movement in opposite direction due to the expansion of a previously com ressed elastic cushion, and means for utilizing the movement of the column of liquid whereby freshliquid at low pressure is introduced at the other end of said liquid column.

7. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column at a proximately one end thereof, and means or utilizing the movement of the column of liquid to compress high pressure and low pressure elastic cushions and means for utilizing the expansion of both cushions in causing a return movement of the liquid column.

8. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe'for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column at approximately one end thereof, means for utilizing the movement of the liquid column to compress two elastic cushions at the other end of the column,

means for utilizing the expansion of one of said cushions to cause a return movement of the liquid column and means for utilizing the expansion of both cushions to cause another return movement.

9. In apparatus for raising or forcing liquid, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said reciprocation being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column at a point below the level of the liquid supply, whereby the liquid is reciprocated between the expansive force and the liquid supply, the points of communication of the expansive force, of the liquid intake and of the high liquid level, being so related that the part of the column between the liquid intake is proportioned to the part beyond the intake, that the kinetic energy of the first part shall be expended before that of the second part, and the said first part of the column shall begin the return flow before the second part comes to rest.

10. In apparatus for moving or forcing liquid between a low level and a high level, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of hquid, one movement of said liquid being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column, means for utilizing the movement of the liquid column to compress an elastic cushion and causing the volumetric changes of the expansive charge and of the elastic cushion to correspond.

11. In apparatus for moving or forcing liquid between a low level and a high level, the combination of a play pipe for the reciprocation of a column of liquid, one movement of said liquid being due to an expansive force communicated to said liquid column, and means for utilizing the movement of the liquid column to compress an elastic cushion and for causing the volumetric changes of the expansive charge, of the elastic cushion and of the liquid discharge to correspond.

' HERBERT ALFRED BUMPER-EX.

Witnesses:

Josnrn Mmmao, WALTER J. Sum. 

